Lightning vs Blues Prediction 1/16/2026 Today’s NHL Picks

In this article we will formulate a Lightning vs Blues prediction for this NHL game on Friday, January 16th at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.

Tampa Bay Lightning Betting Preview

The Tampa Bay Lightning are 29-13-3 this season after they defeated Pittsburgh in a shootout by a score of 2-1 in their last game. Tampa Bay blew a 1-0 lead with about two minutes left in the third, but they were able to rally for the shootout win. The Lightning out shot Pittsburgh by a total of 31-27, won 43.2% of the face-offs, and went 0-3 on the power play in the game. Tampa Bay got their lone goal from Moser, while Vasilevskiy stopped 26 out of 27 shots, which was a .963 save percentage. 

Prior to that game, Tampa Bay defeated the Flyers in back to back games by scores of 5-1 and 7-2. The Lightning have won 11 games in a row and they are currently first in the Atlantic standings with 61 points. Tampa Bay has scored 3.51 goals per game and they have allowed 2.56 goals against per game, while also going 20.1% on the power play and 83.7% on the penalty kill this season. Nikita Kucherov has led Tampa Bay with 23 goals and 44 assists, while Jake Guentzel has added 20 goals and 27 assists. The projected starting goalie for Tampa Bay is Andrei Vasilevskiy, who is 19-7-2 with a 2.28 goals against average and a .915 save percentage this season. 

St. Louis Blues Betting Preview

The St. Louis Blues are 18-21-8 this year after they defeated Carolina by a score of 3-0 in their last game. St. Louis scored three times in the second period, which was more than enough in the shutout victory. The Blues were out shot by a total of 33-31, won 48.5% of the face-offs, and went 1-3 on the power play in the game. St. Louis got goals from Bjugstad, Dvorsky, and Snuggerud, while Hofer stopped all 33 shots in the shutout win. 

Prior to that game, St. Louis lost to the Golden Knights by a score of 4-2 and the Mammoth by a score of 4-2. The Blues have lost three of their last four games and they are currently seventh in the Central standings with 44 points. St. Louis has scored 2.49 goals per game and they have allowed 3.38 goals against per game, while also going 17.1% on the power play and 77.0% on the penalty kill this season. Robert Thomas is the leading scorer for the Blues, but he is out with an injury, while Pavel Buchnevich has added eight goals and 16 assists. The projected starting goalie for St. Louis is Joel Hofer, who is 10-9-2 with a 2.81 goals against average and a .902 save percentage this year. 

Why the Tampa Bay Lightning will win

• The Lightning have won each of their last eight night games.
• The Blues have lost each of their last six night games following a win.
• The Blues have failed to cover the puck line in seven of their last eight night games.
• The Lightning have covered the puck line in five of their last six games.
• The road team has won the second period in five of the Lightning’s last six games.

Total Goals Facts

• Each of the Lightning’s last five games after coming off a shootout have gone OVER the total goals line.
• Four of the last five night games between the Lightning and Blues have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in seven of the Blues’ last eight night games at Enterprise Center against opponents on a winning streak.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3’ market has hit in each of the Lightning’s last six games after coming off overtime.

St. Louis Blues Player Prop Facts

• Otto Stenberg has recorded at least one assist in each of the Blues’ last four games as underdogs against Atlantic Division opponents.

Tampa Bay Lightning Player Prop Facts

• Nikita Kucherov has recorded at least one assist in 12 of the Lightning’s last 13 games as favorites against Central Division opponents.
• Nikita Kucherov has scored at least one goal in six of the Lightning’s last seven games as favorites.

Lightning vs Blues Prediction 

Tampa Bay rolls into this matchup on an 11 game winning streak and they have allowed two goals or fewer in four straight games. The Lightning are 17-4-3 on the road this year, while the Blues are 11-9-5 at home. St. Louis has lost three of their last four, but did beat Carolina in their last game. The Blues have scored two goals or fewer in three of their last five games and they are the lowest scoring team in the NHL. Tampa Bay is eventually going to lose, but I don’t trust the St. Louis offense at all. Take the Lightning -1.5 here.

David Racey's Pick: Lightning -1.5